Daily Record reveals new front-runners in the ‘race for Aribo’

Over the last two months, at least, the Daily Record has been trying to conjure up interest in Joe Aribo. 

The former Charlton ace is under contract until May 2023 with no sign of being offered a new Ibrox contract, since arriving at Ibrox in the summer of 2019 Aribo has watched Kemar Roofe and John Lundstrum pick up deals worth more than £40,000 per week. 

Recently the Record has tried to talk up interest from Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the Nigerian star. 

Preparing an offer, lining up a bid and keeping tabs have all been regularly used, today the Record has turned to ‘testing their resolve’ to describe Southampton’s interest in Aribo. 

Southampton have emerged as frontrunners in the race to sign Rangers contract rebel Joe Aribo. The midfield playmaker is in the final 12 months of his Ibrox deal and Gers chiefs face a huge call this summer as they weigh up whether to keep him or cash in now. 

But they may soon be forced into a decision as Saints weigh up a move. Record Sport revealed back in December scouts from St Mary’s had been sent north to keep tabs on the £300,000 recruit from Charlton. Crystal Palace, Fulham and Nottingham Forest have been previously linked with the 25-year-old Nigeria international but Southampton are also now taking a keen look as they eye up a summer swoop. 

To back up their theory the Record pulled in quotes from Gabby Agbonlahor in Football Insider complete with mention of a ‘rumoured £10m release clease’ 

Aribo has a £0m release clause next summer and can sign a pre-contract agreement in January. A £4m release might attract some interest but the need for Dembele Dollars is likely to have the same impact as all of the rumoured bids for Alfredo Morelos over the last nine transfer windows. 

Giovanni van Bronckhorst takes last season’s squad to Portugal today for pre-season training with his transfer war-chest fully intact.